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Committee to consider draft legislation

Committee to consider draft legislation

15 November 2012

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The Select Committee on Adoption Legislation is to consider draft legislation on adoption which has been published by the Government. The draft legislation, on ethnicity and fostering for adoption, was published by the Government on Wednesday 7th November

The command paper containing the draft legislation, an explanatory memorandum and Keeling schedules can be accessed here:

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm84/8473/8473.asp

There are two sets of draft clauses. The first seeks to place children with families who are approved as both fosterers and adopters, in order that the child can find a permanent placement at an earlier stage of their journey through the care system. The second seeks to prevent placements with an adoptive family being delayed due to the considerations of the child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. The latter proposed change applies only in England. The Committee will report on these clauses in December 2012.